Label dispenser



Patented July 14, 1942 LABEL DISPENSER Carl A. Flood, Framingh'am, m, Signor to Dennison Manufacturing Company, Framing ham, Mass a corporation of Massachusetts Application January 2, 1941, Serial No. 372,862 11 Claims. (01- 242-552) This invention relates to devices'ior dispensing labels which are adhesively mounted on one side of an elongate backing strip and more particularly to labels having normally tacky adhesive which readily peels off the backing sheet.

Objects of the present invention are to provide improved dispensing devices which are simple Fig. 5 is a section on line K-I of i;

Fig. 6 is a section on line H of Fig. 1;

Fig. '7- is a plan view of a second embodiment;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the second embodiment, showing one of the labels in section and one partially peeled from the second ribbon;

and economical in construction, which are ei- I In one aspect the invention involves the use.

or a label strip having the backing split longitudinally into two (or more) ribbons, the labels being removed from the backing by first peeling back one ribbon to uncover a portion of each label successively and subsequently separating the labels from the other ribbon, preferably by individually peeling each partially uncovered label from the other ribbon while'holding the other ribbon on opposite sides of the label to counteract the pull on the ribbon while the label is being peeled oil. The preferred way of holding the second ribbon while a label is being peeled off consists in drawing the ribbon taut over a convex surface which engages only the one remaining ribbon, thereby more effectively to hold the ribbon in predetermined position while the label is being peeled off. The surface may be stationary or it may be in the form oi a drum (wheel or roller) which moves with the strip.

In another aspect the ribbons are pulled from the label material with the line of separation between one ribbon and the label material oi'iset lengthwise of the strip from the location where the other ribbon and label material are separated. This is preferably accomplished by feeding the label strip lengthwise along a predetermined path, peeling one ribbon from the strip atone location along thepath and at another location far-' 9 is a side elevation viewed from the left of Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is a side elevation of a modification.

The particular embodiment of the invention shown in Figs. 1 to 6 comprises a base i and a cover 2 hinged to the base at I, thep'arts preferably being molded with Bakelite or the like. The base I is provided with partitions 4 and 5 which divide the interior of the base into three compartments I, l and l. The cover 2 is also provided with a partition I. The curved ends and the partition I extend down to the plane 9 (Fig. 3) but the cover has no sides. The sides of the base extend above the /level 9 to close the open sides of the cover when the cover is closed (Fig. 4) but the partitions l and 5 terminate at the level l.

As shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 the label strip comprises a backing divided longitudinally by a cut G into two ribbons B and B, the labels L being approximately rectangular in outline and being mounted end to end on the backing. As shown in Fig. 3 the roll R of the label material is dropped loosely into compartment 6 and theiree end is threaded through the cover with the two backing ribbons projecting downwardly into the waste compartment 1 between the feed roller II and the pressure roller'll. The guideway for the label strip intermediate the supply compartment 8 and the rollers comprises a vertical passageway defined by the wall II and the pressure shoe l4 and an oval shaped guide comprising upther along the path separating the labels from the other ribbon either by peeling the labels from the ribbon or vice versa. In the preferred embodiment the first ribbon is fed along a branch path back into edge to edge. relationship with the second ribbon so that the two ribbons may be fed coniointly intothe waste compartment.

For the purpose of illustration typical embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanylng drawings in which Fig. 1 is a top plan view;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a part of the device;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

per and lower portions It and I1 projecting laterally from the vertical portion it. As shown in Fig. 4 the width of the upper portion I8 is approximately equal to that of one of the back-'- ing ribbons and the width of the lower guide i1 is approximately equal to that of the entire label strip. Extending lengthwise of the lower guide i1 approximately at the middle thereof is a shoulder is to serve as a guide tor the edge of the ribbon B. A corresponding edge guide is provided on the other guide II by extending the is peeled away from the labels and thence passes I along the lower surface of the lower guide H. The other ribbon Bf continues upwardly over the urges guide IS with the uncovered portions of the labels projecting beyond the guide l6 as indicated in Fig. 4. At any point along the upper guide l8 each label may be peeled individually from the second ribbon B by grasping the projecting half of the label. As the label is peeled away from the ribbon B the ribbon is prevented from following the label by holding the ribbon taut over the .convex guide I8 by the friction shoe l4 which presses the label strip against the wall l3 in response to. the spring 24, the shoe 14 having a handle 24 projecting through arr-op ni in the top of the cover with which the shoe may be conveniently. retracted against thev action ,oi the spring for threading purposes.

After the two backing. ribbons have been brought back into edge toedge relationship over the feed roller H they may be fed into the com-.

pertinent l by rotating the roller H through the medium of the projecting handle 3|. the side wall of the base being'recessedat 3| (Figs.'1 and .to accommodate the handle. The feed roller H rotates ona'stud 32 fast in the cover 2 (Fig.

,5). The-pressure roller 12 rotates on a stud 33 fast to anarni 34 which in turn is fast tea stud {at r'otatably' mounted'in'the cover 2 (Fig. 6).

Inasmuch as the stud 33 is out of alignment with the stud 36 rotation of the arm 34 about the axis .oithe stud 38 causes the roller 12 to swing to ward andirom the feed roller II. A spring 31 seating ina recess'38 in the arm 34 normally the pressure roller l2 toward the feed roller l. tdpinch the backing ribbons therebetween.

"The pressure roller l2 may be retracted for v threading.purposes by means of the lower end -.oi-the arm 34 which projects somewhat below the .lower edges: the cover (Fig. 3).

f To prevent the backing ribbons B and B from sticking to the roller H or the roller l2 instead of feeding downwardly therebetween, a'stripping 4 plate 4! (Fig. 2) is'secured to the bottom of the cover by means of screws 42 (Fig. 5) extending through openings 43 in the plate.' The plateis provided with a recess into which two pairs of stripping iingers44 and 43 project from opposite sides. The iinger's'44 project from the left (Figs.

1 and 3)' into grooves in thepressure roller l2 and the fingers 46 project from the right into the grooves 48 in the feed roller ll. These stripping fingers not only prevent the backing ribbon from winding around the rollers but they prevent the'rollers' from slipping off their studs 32 and 33. vMountedonone end of the stripping plate 4| is a spring detent 49 whose upper free end en- 'gag'es the serrations 50 (Fig. 4) on the periphery of the feed roller I l to prevent retrograde movement of the rollers in response to the pulling action of the labels as they are peeled from the second backing ribbon B.

To load the device shown in Figs. 1 to 6 the cover is opened, a roller R of label material is v 1 dropped into the compartment'6,- the ribbons are peeled back from the foremost labels sufliciently to permit the ribbons to be threaded through the cover and'thence betweenthe rollers as shown in Fig. 3.. Inasmuch as the space between the guide l3 and the shoe I4 is open'on the. outside when the cover is lifted the label strip may be threaded into this space edgewise of the strip after the shoe I4 is retracted as aforesaid. Likewise the ribbonsB and B may be slipped in between the feedrollers from the'left (Fig. 4) edgewise of the ribbonsafter retracting the pressure roller as aforesaid. In use the two backing ribbons are conjointly fed forward along their respective side ribbon is located near the end of the narrow ledge [8' instead oithe beginning of the ledge. Thus the ledge I6 is full width throughout almost its entire length so that it serves as a solid backing for writing on the labels throughout the entire width of the labels.

The embodiment shown in Figs. comprises a base 52 having an extension 53 upon which a roll R of label material is rotatably mounted by means of a stud 54. Fastened to the base by means of two screws 56 is a cylindrical post 51 having in its upper end a groove 58 extending down to thelevel 59 (Fig. 8) Journaled on the lower end of the cylindrical post is a drum "7. a and 9 having a hub 61, a peripheral flange 62, whose widthis approximately equal to that of the back-" ing ribbon B, and a knurled portion 83 of slightly greater diameter to provide a shoulder 64 for one edge of the ribbon B on the flange 62.

Mounted on top of the post5l by means of screws iii are two plates 61 and 68. On the outer end of the plate 61 a roller H is journaled by means of a stud 12. The. outer end of the plate 68 not only carries. a corresponding roller 13 journaled on stud I4 but it also carries a gear wheel 18 meshing with gears I8 and 19 fast to medium 6! and roller 13 respectively. The peripheral surface of the roller 13 is preferably covered with friction material 8| such asa rubber coating. Opposite the roller 13 is a pressure roller 83 journaled on an arm 84 which is pivoted to the base at 85.and urged towardthe roller 13 by means oi spring 86, the pressure roller also overlapping the flange 62 of the 'drumas shown in Fig. 8.

At the left-hand side of the base 52a block 81 is pivotally mounted on the base by means or an upstanding stud 88, the block being somewhat wider than the label strip comprising the two backing ribbons B and B and the circular labels L. The portion. oi the block opposite the label strip extends to the line 9i (Fig. 9) but the portion overlappingthe knurled flange 63 .of the drum. terminates at. the line 92. Mounted on the inner face of the block by means of the screws 93 is a plate 94 having a curved rearward end and a forward end which terminates'at the line 95 on the side opposite ribbon B and at the line 92 on the side oppositeribbon B. The inner face of the block 81 is recessedthroughout the width of the label strip to provide a passageway for the strip between the block and the plate 94. Aspring 95 holds the block 81 in the position shown in Fig. 7. v

' To load the device the end of the roll R is threaded between the block and the, plate 94, the upper backing ribbon Bis then peeled away from the labels throughout a sufiicientdistance to fold it back over the edge of the plate 94, and then thread it over the roll 1|, through the groove 88 between the rolls 13 and 83 and thence through the opening 91 in the base to a suitable waste receiver. The other backing ribbon B is wound around substantially half the periphery of the drum, thence passes under the roller 83 in edge to edge relation with the ribbonB and then passes and 8 where the-upper portions of the labels may against the flange 62 of the drum by virtue of the frictional engagement of the forward edge appended claims through-the opening 91. In'operation the drum is rotated in the direction of th'exarrow by engagement with the-knurled periphery I3 topresent the labels ,in the position shown in Figs. 7

be grasped between the, thumb and finger and readily peeled on the'ribbon B. While thelabels are being peeled oil, the ribbon n is held taut v, 1. In dispensing" labels from a strip having the labels adhesively mounted in arow on a backing which is divided longitudinally into two ribbons, the method, of dispensing the labels which comprises drawing the strip over a convex surface which engages only one ribbon, peeling the other ribbon fro'mpthe strip to uncover a portion of at least one label opposite the convex surface and, while the first ribbon is drawn overthe surface, peeling said label awayfrom it by grasping said uncovered portion opposite one edge of said convex surface.

2. In dispensing labels from a strip having the labels adhesively mounted in a rowon abacking strip which is divided longitudinally into two ribbons, the method of dispensing the labels -which comprises feeding the strip lengthwise along a predetermined path having a portion curved longitudinally of the path with the labels on the convex side of the curved portion, peeling one ribbon from the strip at one location along the path to uncover a part of the'adhesive side of each label as'it passes that location and at another location farther along said path in said curved portion peeling the labels from the other ribbon while holding the other "ribbon in its curved condition to counteract the pull on the ribbon while the labels are being peeled off.

3. In dispensing labels from a striphaving the labels mounted in a row on a backing whichis divided longitudinally into two ribbons disposed -50 edge to edge, the method of dispensing the labels which comprises feeding the strip along a main path, peeling one of the ribbons from the labels at one location along said path to uncover the adhesive sides of portions of the labels and thence feeding the ribbon along a branch path back into edge to edge relationship with the other ribbon at another location in the main path, and holding the second ribbon taut between said locations while the labels are peeled therefrom by grasping said uncovered portions.

4. For dispensing labels from a strip having the labels mounted in a row on a backing which is divided longitudinally into two ribbons, a device having a path along which the strip is fed, means for peeling one ribbon from the labels at one location along said path to uncover the adhesive sides of portions of the labels, and means for holding the second ribbon while the labels are peeled therefrom by grasping said uncovered portions, said holding means being located in advance of the location where the labels are peeled from the second ribbon, said holding means including a surface extending across the back of one ribbon and terminating near the 75 face ofthe labels after line of division between the two ribbons so-as not to contactthe tacky" surface of thexlabels' after they are'separatedfromthe other ribbon.

5. For dispensing labels, from a strip having the labels mounted in a row on'a backing which is divided longitudinallyintotwo ribbons, a device having a path along which the strip is fed, means for peeling one ribbon from the labels at one location along said path to uncover the 10 adhesive sides of portions of the labels, and tensioning means for holding thesecondribbon taut means being located, in'advance, of the location, where the labels are peeled irom the second ribbon, saidtensioning means including a surface extendlngacross the back of one ribbon and terminatingnear the line of division between the two ribbons so asnot' to-oontact the tacky surthey are separated from V t the other ribbon.

. '6. For dispensing'labels fronr'a strip having the labels mounted. in a row on a backing which is divided longitudinally into two ribbons, a device having a path along which the strip is fed,

,meansfor peeling one ribbon from the labels at one location along said path to uncover the adhesive sides of portions of the labels, a support extending along the path beyond said location to engage the other ribbon with said portions of the labels projecting edgewise from the support, and means for holding the second ribbon against 1, said support while the labels are peeled therefrom by grasping said projecting portions, said support and holding means being arranged tin;

hold said portions spaced from the device so that faces while projecting from the support as aforesaid. a s '7. For dispensinglabels from a strip having the labels mounted in a row on a backing which adhesive sides of portions of the labels, a convex support extending along the path beyond said location to engage the other ribbon with said portions of the labels projecting edgewise from "the support, and means for holding the second "ribbon, taut over said convex support while the labels are peeled therefrom by graspingsaid proje'cting portions, said holding means being located in advance ofthe location where the labels are peeled from the second ribbon.

8. For dispensing labels from a strip having the labels mounted in arow on a backing which is divided longitudinally into two ribbons, a device having a'path along which the strip is fed, means for peeling one ribbon from the labels at one location along said path to uncover the adhesive sides of portions of the labels, a support extending along the path beyond said location. to engage the other ribbon with said portions of the labels projecting edgewise from the sum port, the support being convex lengthwise of said path. and means for holding the second ribbon taut over said convex support while the labels are peeled therefrom by grasping said projecting portions, said holding means being located in advance of the location where the labels are peeled from the second ribbon.

9. For dispensing labels from a strip having the labels mounted in a row on a backing which is divided longitudinally into two ribbons diswhile the labels are peeled therefrom by grasping \said uncovered portions, said tensioning they may be freely grasped between the two surposed edge to edge, a device having a main path along which the strip is fed, means for peeling one or the ribbons irom the labels at one location along said path to uncover the adhesive sides of portions of the labels and thence feeding the ribbon along a branch path back into edge to edge relationship with the other ribbon at another location in the main path, and means for holding the second ribbon taut between said 10- cations while the labels are peeled therefrom by grasping said uncovered portions, said holding means including a surface extending across the back or one ribbon and terminating near the line or division between the two ribbons so as not to' contact the tacky surface of the labels aiter they are separated from the other ribbon.

'10. For dispensing labels from a strip having the labels mounted in a row on a backing which is divided longitudinally into two ribbons, a device having a path along which the strip is fed, means for peeling one ribbon from the labels at one location along said path to uncover the adhesive sides or portions 0! the labels, a drum over which the strip feeds from said location with the other ribbon engaging the periphery of the drum and with said portions of the labels projecting edgewise oi the strip from the drum, and means 101' holding the second ribbon against the drum while the labels are peeled therefrom by grasping said projecting portions.

11. For dispensing labels from a strip having the labels mounted in a row on a backing which is divided longitudinally into two ribbons, a device having a path along which the strip is led, means for peeling one ribbon from the labels at one location along said path to uncover the adhesive sides of portions of the labels, a drum over which the strip feeds from said location with the other ribbon engaging the periphery of the drum and with said portions of the labels projecting edgewise of the strip from the drum, and a spring-pressed roller for holding the second ribbon against the drum while the labels are peeled therefrom by grasping said projection portions.

CARL A. FLOOD. 

